Festive fun as Mexborough gets first Christmas tree for public

Mexborough will have a Christmas tree in the town centre this year – for the first time ever!

The 20ft high tree has been donated by Mexborough clothing firm Vasey Valentine and will be placed near the outdoor market on High Street, along with other decorations.

The illuminations will be switched on by a mystery guest at 6pm on Saturday, December 6. The ceremony will follow a day of family fun, which kicks off at 10am.

Visitors can expect to see fairground rides, numerous stalls, carol singers, festive music and a Santa’s grotto. There will also be the traditional procession, led by Father Christmas, from the fish market down to the town centre for the switch on.

Councillor Sue Phillips, of organisers Mexborough Positive Activity Group, said thousands of visitors are expected throughout the day and added: “This is possibly the biggest event we have ever staged.”

Fellow councillor Andy Pickering said: “It will be the first time a really good sized tree has been used as a focal point, and I think it begins to put us on a par with much larger towns.”

Doncaster mayor Ros Jones said the event will be the first step in the redevelopment of the town centre. The authority will use £400, 000 in Government funding to upgrade the outdoor market area.

A planning application, which shows how some of the rigid outdoor stalls will be removed and replacing with pop ups, is due before planning chiefs in early December.

Mayor Jones said: “I am determined to take this borough forward and spread benefits of investment and regeneration across all of our towns.

“The market redevelopment is due to begin as soon as possible after the Christmas period. We are supporting Christmas in Mexborough by helping to raise a tree and Portable Appliance Testing as well as installing the Christmas lights. I would encourage everyone to visit.”